In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute - being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the crushed tomatoes. Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up. Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well. Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 10 minutes.

When I first started my catering business I wrote all of my favorite recipes in a little blue journal book so I'd have them with me all of the time. Over the years I've shared a couple of recipes from this little journal, but not all. Truthfully, when I started this blog (forever ago...?) I was a burnt out on all of those recipes I'd made hundreds of times.Now, after a four year break from the catering business, I am ready to dive back in to some of those old favorites, because after all, they were really great recipes for entertaining. This Chocolate Molten Cake recipe was one of my first and best go-to's as a caterer. I always served it at dinner parties - with great success. The ingredients and supplies are humble - chocolate chips and a cupcake pan! They work great for parties because the batter is made in advance, then baked right before dessert and served warm.I made these last year for a friends dinner. While the recipe makes 6-12, they work great in the freezer. Just bake all of them together, then freeze the leftovers. You can reheat in the microwave for just 30-60 seconds.

Prepare cupcake pans by coating the inside of each with melted butter by swirling it around. Then sprinkle the insides with cocoa, coating completely.

To make the batter, place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, then top it with butter and cream. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth. When chocolate has cooled slightly, stir in eggs, sugar and flour. Pour into prepared cupcake pans. Refrigerate for 1 hour (at least) and up to a couple of days.

Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes for regular 12/pan size and 15-18 for jumbo 6/pan size, just until the outsides and most of the top have set, and the centers are still slightly runny. You can insert the tip of a knife to test. You just want a bit of the very center to be a thick pudding like texture. Let them cool for 5 minutes, then place a sheet pan on top of the muffin pan and invert them.

Serve with whipped cream, ice cream and dusted with chocolate or cinnamon.

Melting chocolate with the butter and cream this way is so easy - microwave!

The pans buttered and cocoa-ed while the chocolate is in the microwave.

Perfectly melted.

You can fill them almost all the way to the top - they don't puff too much.

Each morning I take a walk with Mr. Darcy. While gauzed as my "workout" this daily ritual gives me a chance to quietly observe the seasonal changes. February is truly a winter month here, but there are small signs of awakening. Amongst the brown grass, small bits of new green sprigs are starting to break through, tips of daffodils are emerging just a tiny bit, and the birds are back and they are singing.

The beginning of March brings all of the changes of spring that I love the most - the season before the season. I love to watch the slow reveal of each new flowering bulb - first the crocus, then the daffodils, then the hyacinth and finally the tulips. The trees aren't just grey sticks any longer, if you look closely you can see their new buds slightly shading their branches. Our maple trees look almost red with their tiny buds, and Emma's cherry tree has deep pink buds that will be blossoms in a months time. I also love to obsess over my peonies. Right now, you can go in your garden and see the teeniest deep fuchsia shoots poking through the dirt. And the dirt, I live for the scent of the fresh, damp mud that hangs in the air during the pre-spring season.

Every season brings a fresh beginning, but none quite like Spring. This is the time of year when I want everything simple, clean and fresh inside. I want my windows open and each room to be filled with light. This collection reflects that feeling of freshness for your home and Easter celebrations this Spring.

This year has been one of exciting moves for my business. You all read about The School House that will by my business' new head quarters. We're working to have it up and running next month! Another new avenue I'm traveling down is offering more custom designed products. I've been at this for a while now, and I find that the only time I'm really able to offer you exactly what I want is if I design it myself. I'm moving to an almost entire store of completely custom collections designed by me, just for my store. In the Spring Collection, you'll see some of my newest custom products and some classics.

Not only am I interested in bringing you my custom designs, but I also want them made in a way that feels good. I want the products that I offer to be made by someone that loves making them and that makes them in a way that they'll last forever.

I've partnered with a local service organization, Rightfully Sewn. They seek out under-employed, and sometimes at-risk women and train them as seamstresses and pair them up with businesses like mine so they are able to work for themselves. The custom designs and quality they've been able to offer me are beyond what I've had available before.

I feel so blessed to be one of their partners and have plans to help them to continue to grow with me. You will be blown away at the quality of the stitching, zippers and hand-pressing of each item. And look at my new cute tags! It all feels very official. And the entire process gives me the warm fuzzies, which is the entire idea - all the way around. I want the entire process of my business from inspiration, to design, to production, to fulfillment to feel good and solid and right.

Creamy and classic, the Natural Check Pillows are perfect for brightening our sofa for spring. Offered in 22" & 20" Squares that are self-piped and self-backed, and in a Rectangle that is piped and backed with a natural oatmeal.

Here is a close-up shot of the natural oatmeal backing and piping featured on the Rectangle pillow.

The Spa Check is in between a blue and a green - in the best way. It is such a soothing color - almost neutral, but in an airy, breezy way. Like the Natural Check, the Square Pillows have a matching check back, while the Rectangle has a natural oatmeal backing and piping.

What is more charming than a pair of Wellie Boots? They are nostalgic, yet modern, seemingly child-like yet utilitarian for any adult that enjoys the outdoors, alike. This paper collection of tags, tablets and cards will add that sweet, charming touch to a gift. I set the kids' Easter table with a tablet at each place, ready for drawing. I'm also using it as my official tablet for the School House.

Tags : Set of 10

Tablets : 50 pages

Card & Envelope Boxed Sets : Set of 10

Here I've used a Spa Check Napkin as a liner for an Easter basket. A tea towel would be easily used, as well. For a little color, I add a simple tied Pool Satin Ribbon on the top of the basket.

I have loved this Pool Paper-Source ribbon for years. Like almost 20 years. I use it with kraft paper to wrap gifts, to tie on cello bags and everything else. The color is just fabulous - not to saturated, just the right shade of blue. It is a bit of a splurge, but a little goes a long way.

At the dining table, I featured the Natural Check linens, using the long and wide runner with the napkins. I love this rustic, gardeny setting. It feels elegant but also feel a bit like you're lunching in the potting shed. Use a collection of vessels for flowers, and bring some outdoor pots inside for that fresh from the garden feel. The monochromatic creams and pale yellow make this a really lovely scheme.

The Creamware Platters have been restocked. They are a favorite all year long, but the creaminess is especially Springy to me. Great for entertaining and for display, as you can see on our walls and hutch.

As a favor, each guest receives this charming hyacinth wrapped in a Natural Check Napkin, and tied with the same Grosgrain Ribbon and Garden Tool Tag.

I love this stationery suite because it is rustic enough to use to label your gardening supplies or make out your to-do list in the garden, but still elegant enough to use on your Easter table. I think it would be perfect for a springtime gift to a friend - maybe a potted plant or a favorite packet of seeds.

I've added some essential ribbons in pastel colors, perfect for Easter. All of these color coordinate with both the Natural and the Spa Check Linen Collection. I know that we all love ivories mixed with these colors, but we also know our kids will love some hues that are a little more fun. Emma, for instance, will love the Lilac Grosgrain on her basket. I'll probably accent the basket with the Spa Check Tea Towel, then tie her treats up with the Lilac ribbon.

Speaking of colorful... These will be right up Emma's alley! Each season she makes some decorations for our home. Today after school, she's going to work on these and apply them to our french doors in the kitchen. She will love the bright, fun colors, and I can't wait to see how she adds a little personality to each one of these bunnies. I'm sure some of them will have Jo-Jo bows... if you know what that is, then you know what I mean ; )

I saw this on Pinterest too, and hopped over here for the recipe...made it this afternoon and it is scrumptious! I did cut down on the cream...I like my tomato soup really tomato-y, and the cream kinda cuts the flavor for me. But seriously good food right here!

I found your tomato basil soup recipe on Pinterest - I made it tonight along with the grilled cheese and they were fabulous!!! I have been trying to find a good tomato soup recipe and have not had much luck until now! Thanks for sharing the recipe, can't wait for leftovers tomorrow!

I made the Basil Tomato Soup today for lunch. Absolutely divine. My hubby and I have never liked tomato soup, but your recipe looked so amazing. And it WAS! A definite keeper in our house :) Thankful to have it in time for the winter :) Thank you!

Agree. I love tomatoes, so I dealt with it, but I knew my husband wouldn't be a fan. He ate it (most of it, once smothered I cheese). Not good, but I guess not bad. Just chunky , like you said, like eating canned tomatoes.....on the plus side, the dog Loved It. By the way, I cook/bake all the time and am also a chef for a restaurant....just like easy recipes now and then. I blame myself for using canned tomatoes....but at the same time, they work well in many recipes.

I just made this soup last night- I added 2 more Tbsp of basil and a dash more cream. I thought it was fantastic! Made in one pot in under 20 minutes, so time-and-clean-up friendly. I tip my hat to you, Ms. Steffens Hobick!

Made this last night..... WONDERFUL.......If you didn't like it, you did something wrong! the kids loved it with a grilled cheese sandwich. My 6 year old liked to dip his in his sandwich in the soup...Yummy

My absolute favorite meal! I used uour recipe as a baseline and use fresh tomatoesinstead of canned whole, I also use coconut milk instead of cream, and lots of it, and lots more basil. Thanks for a great recipe! Comfort food for me, especially with freshly made sourdough.

A friend ask me for a recipe because of all the fresh tomatoes in her garden. I came up with a tomato, basil soup with a touch of parmesan cheese. You can check it out at http://www.ohappydeals.com/2012/tomato-basil-soup-with-touch-of-parmesan-cheese/

Delicious!!! I made this tonight and I could have eaten it all! But had to share with my family :) I used fat free half and half instead of heavy cream since I am trying to cut down on fat. I'm sure if I ever tried it with heavy cream nothing else would do, but it was really good with the half and half. I added a little grated parmesan into the soup as it was cooking. This is definitely a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing!

This soup was so amazing!! Just found your blog recently and love it! I can't wait to try more of your recipes and I love your design tips. Thanks for sharing!! PS your fam and your lil girl are so cute :)

I found this on Pinterest and absolutely LOVE this soup. Even my tomato-hating husband agreed that it was so good! Have you ever made it with a crockpot? I would love to take it to a all day scrapbooking event, but it would need to be in a crockpot for about four hours.

I doubled the recipe and it made enough for at least 10 people. It was delish!! I roasted fresh tomatoes in the oven first before blending them and adding them to the soup, but for a quick midweek dinner I could totally see using the cans. Fresh basil made a big difference and I had also added a small diced onion. Would definitely make again, thanks!!